Care home manager jailed after stealing from resident

A care home branch manager who stole £500 from a resident visiting a dying friend has been jailed.

Kerry Maslen, 45, of Campfield Road, Hertford, was working for an external company who were contracted to manage the supported living address in Windsor Drive, Hertford, when she visited the premises on 22 May 2023.

Maslen used her master key to gain access to the victims address and stole £500 from a bedside chest of drawers.

She was fully aware that the victim, a woman who was aged 80, but is now deceased, was in another room visiting a dying friend when she stole the money, the court heard.

Maslen pleaded guilty to theft on 2nd December 2025 and was jailed for seven months at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday 19th March 2026.

The victim's daughter told the judge that her mother said prior to her death "I don't think I’ll ever get over it. I'l never feel safe, every noise I hear I have to get up and look. I feel as if it's ruined my life, I’m not going out to meet the other people here anymore".

While Maslen was not directly involved in caring for the residents and was not directly employed by the care home, this was an incredible abuse of trust by a branch manager who was bestowed responsibility for the safeguarding and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. She took advantage of a woman who is sadly no longer with us to see this court result passed down. I’d like to take this opportunity to praise her daughter for the bravery and courage she’s shown throughout this difficult process.

:: Investigating officer, Detective Constable Darren Lomax